Allison Jacobs

Sometimes you cross paths with a person and that's all it is - a brief encounter. Other times, they leave a lasting impression, an imprint in your mind that you just keep coming back to, pondering their words, their perspective and insight. Allison Jacobs is most definitely the latter. She is an incredibly impressive individual on paper, and yet somehow, more so in person.

The 5-11 outside hitter is Michigan volleyball’s first Academic All-American, earning the honor with a bachelor’s degree in communications and media, while pursuing a master’s degree in management from the Ross School of Business. She’ll complete a second master’s next year in 2025-26. Oh, and she casually throws in that she had a 4.0 grade point average. No big deal.

Let’s also get the athletic accolades out of the way while we’re at it. As team captain, she earned 2024 All-Big Ten first-team honors and was American Volleyball Coaches Association All-North Region honorable mention. She was also Michigan’s Big Ten Sportsmanship Award recipient. Now to the good stuff.

A Steady Presence

Allison joined the Wolverines as a junior in 2022, transferring from UCLA and leaving her home state of California. A year later, the program transitioned to a brand-new coaching staff led by Erin Virtue. New school, new coaches - that’s a lot of change in one year, but Allison didn’t miss a beat.

“She played an invaluable role in helping establish the culture we wanted to create,” coach Virtue said. “What immediately struck me upon arriving at Michigan was the exceptional character of our student-athletes, and Allison quickly distinguished herself through her remarkable intellectual curiosity. She's genuinely one of the most inquisitive athletes I've had the privilege of coaching throughout my career.

More on that later.

“What truly sets her apart,” Virtue said, “is her infectious passion for the game and unwavering commitment to growth. She didn't just adapt to changes, she embraced them wholeheartedly.”

Consistency and authenticity are two words that come up often for Allison, and they’re exemplified by the joy and positivity she exudes. Every photo of her from matches depicts either an intense competitive nature or the biggest beaming smile, always aimed directly at a teammate.

“I’m big on eye contact, and I AM joyful to be honest,” she admitted, after being told she looks like she’s genuinely enjoying every moment with her teammates. “And gratitude makes me really joyful, but that’s part of the work I’m putting in.

“It took some time for my teammates to see that this joy is authentic. They struggled to believe that I was actually coming from an authentic space.

“One of the criticisms people would have if they don’t understand me, is that they’d say it’s fake,” she explained. “I think some people don’t understand how someone could be happy all the time. I do balance it with vulnerability which helps my teammates see me more. Yes, I’m joyful and full of gratitude, but I’m also able to be vulnerable and talk about the hard stuff.”

“What makes Allison particularly special is how her love for volleyball radiates beyond her personal performance,” the coach said. “Her enthusiasm touches everyone around her – from teammates to staff members – creating a positive energy that elevates our entire program. … She's proven herself to be not just an exceptional student-athlete, but also a wonderful friend and teammate.”

Curiosity & Introspection

As Walt Whitman and Ted Lasso say, “be curious.” And Allison is nothing if not that. But she’s also all about the team, leadership, and being a positive resource and force for her teammates.

“What made her particularly special during our transition period was her ability to lead through curiosity,” Virtue continued. “When you're establishing a new program foundation, it's crucial that everyone understands the 'why' behind decisions and directions. Allison's willingness to ask thoughtful questions didn't just benefit her own understanding – it helped create an environment where other athletes felt comfortable seeking clarity too. She essentially became a bridge between the coaching staff and her teammates, helping establish a culture where open dialogue was not just accepted but encouraged.

“There's something particularly valuable about having a student-athlete who leads by example in this way – showing that engagement and curiosity are strengths, not weaknesses. I deeply respect how she helped lay the groundwork for open communication within our program, which has been fundamental to our team's development.”

Allison admits she’s always had a curious nature, but the time and energy she’s put into herself is the difference-maker. It’s led her to reading authors such as Eckhart Tolle, Brené Brown and Jedidiah Jenkins, while pursuing meditation and yoga.

“I’ve gotten into meditation and spending time with myself and recognizing how we’re so caught up on our phones and distracting ourselves through TV or music, or a book. So just paying attention and growing my self-awareness.”

When asked how she became so wise, Allisons said, “People always told me I’m way more mature than my age, but now I’m touching on more wisdom within myself.

“The coolest part about it has been getting to know myself off the court,” she continued. “Connecting with that most authentic self has made me such a better leader on the court. And I can tell my teammates see that side of me and trust me because I’m consistent -- I show up every day and I’m the same Allison Jacobs because I know who I am now.”

Pausing, she adds, “I’m still learning.”

Drive & Perspective

For someone who seems incredibly Zen and tranquil, Allison is constantly in motion, a perfect example of taking advantage of all the opportunities at her disposal.

She’s worked with the Michigan Athletics Career Center, shadowing Tracy Wolfson with CBS at the 2023 Big Ten men’s basketball tournament. She interned with the Detroit Tigers, and completed two micro-internships with Eli Lilly. A two-time team captain, she has also served as vice president of SAAC (Student-Athlete Advisory Council) this year, and participates in Victor 4 Life sessions that touch on things like core values and “Developing My Why.” She’s also been an elementary school pen pal since arriving on campus through Let’s Go Do, the athletic department’s community service arm.

“She has a high care for developing as a person, developing her teammates, and making a difference within her community,” Brian Townsend, director of the Leadership Development program, said. “Because of who she is and what’s important to her, that radiates to her team. But that also radiates in whatever else she puts her hands on. She’s just been a person with all this energy and ‘wanna do good for people’ and now she’s been able to harness it and move it in a specific direction.”

Another unique experience she sought out was a 10-day trip to Vietnam with nine other Michigan student-athletes, led by Townsend and community engagement assistant director Colette Hemker DeHetre. An annual donor-funded trip, student-athletes apply with a video explaining what they want to gain from the experience and how they’ll educate their team when they return. The trip immerses them in the culture and history of Vietnam.

“No one wins in war and I’m still figuring out how a little student-athlete at Michigan could actually impact that but I’m definitely looking forward to trying,” Allison reflected following the trip in 2023.

“Her trip to Vietnam, alongside teammate Hannah Grant, was especially transformative,” Virtue said. “The experience deepened her perspective on privilege and cultivated a profound sense of gratitude. She came back moved by the extreme kindness she witnessed and with a broader understanding of different cultures.”

Allison’s pursuit of these wide-ranging experiences provides her with plenty of opportunities to learn and grow – which is right up her alley. Even better though, her charisma and the respect she’s earned results in naturally influencing those around her.

“She's shown a remarkable ability to take lessons from various Michigan Athletics programs and integrate them into her growth journey,” Virtue observed. “Her willingness to engage deeply with these experiences and reflect on them meaningfully demonstrates her commitment to personal development beyond just athletics. This kind of holistic growth is exactly what we hope our student-athletes will embrace during their time at Michigan.

“I can't help but feel both proud and privileged to be part of Allison’s journey,” Virtue continued. “What makes this particularly special is seeing her excitement about what lies ahead. Throughout her time here, she's demonstrated the kind of growth, resilience, and leadership that makes us confident she'll succeed in whatever path she chooses ... Allison exemplifies everything we hope for in a Michigan student-athlete, and her impact on our program will continue long after she completes her final season with us.”

The Team

The Wolverines are coming off a tremendous rebound of a season that saw them go from 7-22 in Virtue’s first year to 18-13 in 2024 in the hyper-competitive Big Ten Conference.

“Looking back on the 2024 season, I'm filled with pride at the significant strides our program made,” Virtue said. “One of our biggest challenges and accomplishments was successfully integrating seven new players into our program. Our returning athletes showed exceptional leadership, particularly during the summer months when coaching contact is limited.

“One of our most significant achievements, especially in today's collegiate athletics landscape, is that our entire roster has committed to returning for 2025. This speaks volumes about the culture we're building and the athletes' belief in our program's direction.”